Global Mazda MX-5 Cup cars are two things. They are racecars, yes. But before they are racecars, they are sports cars. Born of Mazda’s passion for driving, the Global MX-5 Cup cars that leave Long Road Racing in Statesville, North Carolina as racecars, arrived there as sports cars. And this weekend, the Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires heads to the only track on the schedule with “Sports Car” in its name. The 2.4-mile long natural terrain road course is easily one of the premiere racing tracks in these 50 United States.

While some say the facilities at “Mid-O” might be eligible for some updates, this announcer loves the old school feel that this classic race track provides.

Getting back on track

Ok, excuse the poorly placed pun, but the point still remains. When Global MX-5 Cup cars hit the track in Ohio, it will have been 35 days since they pulled off the track from round six at Road America in Wisconsin. That’s a lot of time off for racers. And it’s a lot of time off for those of us who love watching racing. I can’t speak to what every one of the racers in the Batter Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires have been up to in that long break, but several of them have been busy racing..and winning. The week following rounds five and six at Road America saw multiple MX-5 Cup racers take on Watkins Glen International during the IMSA weekend. (read about it here: https://mx-5cup.com/news/battery-tender-global-mazda-mx-5-cup-alum-shine-at-watkins-glen-international) Most notably was the win on Friday for reigning series champion, Patrick Gallagher and his old team owner, Chad McCumbee in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge.

Noaker ready to crack championship top-10

Robert Noaker was born in 2004.

Re-read that. Now think about it.

Now let’s think about this. The 14-year old is currently contesting his first ever season of IndyCar sanctioned Global Mazda MX-5 Cup competition. And he’s breathing down the championship top-10’s neck. A scant three points separates the high-schooler from standing up and giving a speech at the championship banquet if the season were to end today.

At 14 years old, it’s remarkable that he’s been able to adjust to the pressure of racing at this level. For me, it is safe to say that at 14 years old, I wasn’t trusted to drive a car on a video game, and that’s why I’ll be watching Robert Noaker very closely the rest of 2018. Because after 2018, he’ll be 15… and a veteran. That’s got to be something the competition is already thinking about….